Super Falcons star striker, Asisat Oshoala has been nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or women’s player of the year award following her impressive season with FC Barcelona Femini in the Spanish League and the Super Falcons of Nigeria.

Oshoala, who is the reigning Africa women’s player of the year, scored 21 goals in just 28 games to lead FC Barcelona to the 2022/23 Spanish league title and was the Spanish club’s top-scorer with 27 goals in all competitions.

The 28-year-old was instrumental as Barcelona retained their domestic title and won the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

The two-time Champions league winner was also nominated for the award in 2022 as she became the first female African player to get the Ballon Dór nomination, finishing in the 16th position among the shortlisted 30 players.

At the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Oshoala made history as the first Nigerian and first female African player to score at three different editions of the FIFA World Cup.

The Super Falcons star scored in her debut World Cup in 2015 against Sweden; in 2019 against South Korea; and now in 2023 against Australia.

She scored the winning goal in the 3-2 win over co-hosts Australia in the group stage and led the Super Falcons of Nigeria to an impressive round of 16 finish.

Nigeria crashed out of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after losing 4-2 on penalties to eventual finalists—the Lionesses of England in the Round of 16.

The nine-time African champions were unbeaten in the group stage finishing second behind co-hosts Australia, and qualified ahead of Olympic champions, Canada and debutants Republic of Ireland.

Oshoala was a key part of the impressive Falcons side as they avoided defeat in all three group-stage matches for the first time in history, with a win and two draws.

The Ikorodu born superstar and former Arsenal striker has also won the African Player of the Year award for a record five times—2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, and in 2022.

With two-time defending champion Alexia Putellas out of the running after a season hampered by injuries, a new winner will be crowned on October 30th.

Barcelona and Spain superstar Bonmati, who was instrumental to the Spanish women’s national team glory at the FIFA Women’s World Cup is the favourite to win the prize her teammate, Alexia Putellas won last year.

With a stellar performance at the tournament, playing in every game and winning the best player award, Bonmati is a strong contender to succeed Putellas.

Chelsea’s Sam Kerr is yet another likely winner having racked up 29 goals for Chelsea last season as they won a domestic double before featuring for the Matildas of Australia at the World Cup.

Lyon’s Ada Hegerberg won the maiden women’s Ballon d’Or back in 2018 while United States Women’s national team star Megan Rapinoe won the honours in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the 2020 ceremony to be cancelled. Oshoala’s teammate, Alexia Putellas emerged as the winner following its resumption in 2021 and retained her title in 2022.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on October 30.

The winners of the Ballon d’Or 2023 will be announced on this day.

The Ballon d’Or women’s award nominees are:

Khadija Shaw (Man City)
Mapi Leon (Barcelona)
Mary Earps (Man United)
Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona)
Wendie Renard (Lyon)
Katie Mccabe (Arsenal)
Jill Roord (Wolfsburg and Man City)
Yui Hasegawa (Man City)
Alexandra Popp (Wolfsburg)
Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona)
Debinha (Kansas City)
Sam Kerr (Chelsea)
Guro Reiten (Chelsea)
Ewa Pajor (Wolfsburg)
Patricia Guijarro (Barcelona)
Daphne Van Domselaar (Twente and Aston Villa)
Lena Oberdorf (Wolfsburg)
Hinata Miyazawa (MyNavi Sendai and Man United)
Millie Bright(Chelsea)
Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona)
Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns)
Hayley Raso (Man City and Real Madrid)
Amanda Ilestedt (PSG and Arsenal)
Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich)
Olga Ramona (Real Madrid)
Fridolina Rolfo (Barcelona)
Rachel Daly (Aston Villa)
Alba Redondo (Levante)
Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid)
Kadidiatou Diani (Lyon)

The Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, Abia capital, has removed Labour Party candidate, Amobi Ogah as the lawmaker representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi House of Representatives seat of Abia State.

The tribunal on Wednesday in its judgement rule that Nkiru Onyejeocha of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is the rightful winner of the seat.

The February 25 House of Representatives election had initially seen Ogah declared the winner with 11,822 votes, while Onyejeocha secured 8,752 votes.

However, the tribunal’s ruling invalidated the results earlier declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The tribunal in its decision directed INEC to withdraw the certificate of return previously issued to Ogah and issue a new one to Nkiru Onyejeocha, the APC candidate.

Onyejeocha, a veteran politician, had previously served as the deputy whip in the 9th House of Representatives and had occupied the seat for 16 years, since 2007.

After Onyejeocha surprisingly lost the election to the Labour Party candidate, President Bola Tinubu subsequently appointed her into his cabinet as the Minister of State for Labour and Employment.

The tribunal’s decision has raised questions about whether she would return to the House of Representatives if Ogah should fail to appeal the decision or continue to hold her ministerial position.

…begins consultations with lawyers on next step

The Labour Party has rejected the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Court upholding the declaration of Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as winner of the February 25, 2023 election.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, made the party’s position known in Abuja, shortly after the court announced its decision.

Ifoh said, “The Labour Party watched with dismay and trepidation the dismissal of petitions by the five-man panel of the Presidential Election Petition Court led by Justice Haruna Tsammani today and we reject the outcome of the judgment in its entirety because justice was not served and it did not reflect the law and the desire of the people.

“Nigerians were witnesses to the electoral robbery that took place on February 25, 2023, which was globally condemned but the Tribunal in its wisdom refused to accept the obvious.

“What is at stake is democracy and we will not relent until the people will prevail.

We salute the doggedness of our team of lawyers who fearlessly exposed the wrath in our system.

“We can only weep for democracy in Nigeria but we refuse to give up on Nigeria.

“Details of the party’s position will be presented after consultation with our lawyers after the Certified True Copy of the

“We urge all lovers of democracy to remain focused and hopeful because a new Nigeria is possible.”

Nigerian forward, Victor Osimhen has been nominated alongside Inter Miami forward, Lionel Messi and Man City forward Erling Haaland for the 2023 Ballon d’Or men’s award.

The Super Eagles hotshot becomes the first Nigerian to be nominated for the prestigious prize since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.

The Napoli striker scored 26 Serie A goals last season to guide the Partenopei to the Scudetto for the first time in more than three decades.

Osimhen will compete with favourite and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi who was instrumental to Argentina’s World Cup glory in Qatar.

There is also Manchester City forward Erling Haaland who had a stellar debut seasons with City as they won the treble for the first time in the club’s history.

See full list for Ballon d’or 2023 men’s award

Josko Gvardiol
Jamal Musiala
Andre Onana
Karim Benzema
Mohamed Salah
Bukayo Saka
Kevin DeBruyne
Jude Bellingham
Randal Kolo Muani
Bernado Silva
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Nicolo Barella
Emiliano Martinez
Ruben Dias
Erling Haaland
Martin Odegaard
Ikay Guendogan
Yassine Bounou
Julian Alvarez
Vinicius Jr.
Lionel Messi
Rodri
Lautaro Martinez
Antoine Griezmann
Robert Lewandowski
Kylian Mbappe
Victor Osimhen
Kim Min-Jae
Luka Modric
Harry Kane

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday defeated Peter Obi and the Labour Party at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT).

The tribunal judges led by Justice Simon Tsammani dismissed all the petitions challenging the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the February 25th presidential election.

The Election Petition Labour ruled that the Party and Peter Obi, in their petition, could not establish their assertion that INEC must electronically transfer presidential election results.

“Where the petitioners alleged that the winner of an election did not score the majority of the lawful votes cast, they must prove two sets of results.

“The one they alleged is the lawful results

“The one they are challenging,” the tribunal ruled.

The tribunal stated that the fraud case against President Tinubu brought by the Labour Party could not be proven, adding that the APC candidate was cleared of drug-related crimes in the US.

While ruling that Abuja is not special and 25% in the FCT is not necessary to emerge as President, the tribunal disclosed that the Independent National Electoral Commission is free to choose its method of transmitting results.

The Election Petition Tribunal stated that the evidence tendered by Peter Obi didn’t prove he won the Presidential Election.

Tsammani said Peter Obi and Labour Party fail to substaintiate their claim that glitches recorded by inec resulting in its inability to upload presidential result was delibrately done to manipulate the result.

He stated that INEC complied substantially with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 in its conduct of the 2023 presidential election.

The Nigeria Labour Congress has called off it’s two-day warning strike declared to protest the plight of workers caused by the removal of fuel subsidy.

The congress also directed workers to resume work from Thursday.

The strike which began on September 5, to end at midnight on September 6, had various government parastatals, financial institutions, and electricity distribution companies on total shutdown in the last 48 hours.

The NLC in a communique signed by President Joe Ajearo on Tuesday, expressed satisfaction with the compliance rate of workers with the strike.

Ajaero said, “We are pleased to report that, thanks to your resolute commitment, we have made significant strides in achieving the goals set during our National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which prompted the initiation of this warning strike.

“It is abundantly clear that our united message has resonated loudly with the government, and it would take a truly inattentive ear not to hear it.

“As we mark the end of the two-day nationwide warning strike today, at the stroke of midnight, we earnestly call upon you all to gracefully conclude the strike and return to work tomorrow, following our initial agreement.”

He also charged affiliate unions to maintain steadfast resolve if the government fails to provide the appropriate responses to the NLC demands.

“In the event that the government fails to provide the appropriate responses to our demands, we encourage you to maintain your steadfast resolve.

“The same passion and determination that fueled this warning strike will be crucial if we find ourselves compelled to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike.

“The congress is not unmindful of the actions of detractors and fifth columnists but in the face of them all, we remain undaunted and more committed to the defense of Nigerian workers and people at any given time. Our nation deserves better,” he said.

Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State has approved two trucks of 50kg bags of rice for the State’s Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) chapter as palliatives to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

Bago announced the approval during the reception to celebrate the newly constructed office of the Deputy Governor, Mr Yakubu Garba, in Minna.

He disclosed that the initial N110 million approved for NLC was for their logistics to monitor the distribution process of the palliatives across the 274 wards of the state.

“Labour, we have given you work to go round and supervise the palliatives’ distribution, but for the labour union, we have not given you palliatives.

“We only gave you logistics to go round and supervise distribution. Now, as a government, we will give you two trucks of 50kg for distribution,” he said.

Bago added that the money was for the members of the NLC to effectively monitor the distribution process to ensure that the palliatives get to everyone.

The NLC is currently on a two-day warning strike which the national body declared following the removal of the petrol subsidy and the hardship that followed it.

The governor, however, advised the union to shelve its strike and congratulated the deputy governor on his new office.

In his remarks, Garba, appreciated the governor for a cordial working relationship and pledged to discharge his responsibility for the progress and development of the state. (NAN)

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved an upwards price increase in the price of pre paid electricity meters in the country.

In a circular signed and dated 5 September 2023 by the commission’s Chairman and Commissioner Legal, Licencing and compliance, Sanusi Garba and Dafe Akpeneye, respectively, it stated that a single phase pre paid meter would now cost N81,975.16k from the N58,661.69k while three phase pre paid meters is increased to N143,836.10k from N109,684.36k.

The circular said the new price was to ensure a fair and reasonable pricing of meters to both MAPs and end-use customers.

“Ensure MAP’s ability to recover reasonable costs associated with meter procurement and maintenance while ensuring that their pricing structure allows for a viable return on investment. Evaluate the affordability of meter services for consumers, aiming to prevent excessive pricing that could burden end-users. Ensure that MAPs are able to provide meters to end-use customers in the prevailing economic realities.

The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) has rejected, a copy of the report on the last presidential election made by the European Union (EU) Election Observers Mission tendered by Peter Obi and the Labour Party (LP).

The court held that the document was obtained by the petitioners from its registry, which was certified by its staff who is not a person with original custody of the document that was produced by the EU mission.

Recall that the actual copy of the report was earlier tendered by Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while prosecuting their petition before the court.

The court also rejected the 18088 blurred results sheets tendered by the petitioners on the grounds that they were not tied to any polling units to which the results related, which the petitioners failed to specify in their petition.

The court held that the petitioners lied that they could not identify the polling units because the result sheets were blurred. It noted that one of the same petitioners’ witnesses actually produced a report in which he analysed the same results, which he claimed to have sourced from INEC’s results viewing platform.

It further noted that having admitted that its agents signed for and collected copies of the result sheets, the petitioners cannot claim not to know the polling units affected, but merely chose not to specify the polling units in their petition.

The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) has dismissed the claim of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), that President Bola Tinubu needed 25 per cent votes from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to win the February 25 election.

Justice Haruna Tsammani said FCT residents have no special privilege, hence such claims can’t stand.

He was reacting to Obi’s petition faulting the declaration of President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the last presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

There have been arguments over the legality of Tinubu’s victory in the last presidential election over his inability to accrue 25 per cent of the votes in the FCT.

Nigerians have argued that a presidential candidate must acquire 25 per cent of votes, including in the FCT, as a requirement to be declared the winner.

[DailyPost]